2013년 12월 31일 화요일

Kim Byung Man won grand award at 2013 SBS Entertainment Award


After showing 2yrs of incredible slapstick and acrobatic stunts as a Master in "Gag Concert" at KBS and 3 years of showing surviving skills and charisma as leader of byung man clan in SBS's suvival variety show "law of the jungle", comedian Kim Byung man finally won grand award at 2013 SBS Entertainment Awards on 30th.

He has been nominee and contender for daesang(grand award) at KBS,SBS entertainment daesang awards at end of year for 5yrs now but never won because Korea's favorite MC, Yoo Jae Suk, Kang Ho Dong took all the glory before

He got emotional accepting award and delivered an emotional speech saying that he is just beginner compared to other nominee and he is so thankful and has utmost respect for other nominee and "law of the jungle" staffs

Meanwhile, Kim Byung Man will leave to China on new year's day to flim for his new pilot show as a New Year’s special titled “Kim Byung Man’s Shaolin Fist.” The official also revealed “The show will be filmed at the Shaolin Temple in China from January 1 to 5.”

Ha ji won and cast from "Empress Ki" won big at MBC Drama Awards 2013

Ha Ji-won won 3 awards including Daesang(grand award)at MBC Drama Awards 2013 on 30th.
Ha Ji-won went up to the stage for Actor of the Year Award, an award for an actor chosen by the producers from the Big Three broadcasters (SBS, KBS, MBC).
Ha Ji-won also won the Popularity Award from online viewer vote on MBC homepage, imbc.com.
It was her second Daesang awards win after the first one she got from KBS in 2006 for the drama "Hwang Jin-yi"


The lead cast of Empress Ki: Ha Ji-won, Joo Jin-mo, Ji Chang-wook, and Baek Jin-hee, all won the various thropies at MBC Drama Awards last night.

Ji Chang-wook received the Male Excellence Award while Baek Jin-hee got the Female Newcomer Award for her appearance in "I Summon You, Gold!" and "Empress Ki".
Joo Jin-mo also got the Male Top Excellence Award
Empress Ki’s writers, Jang Young-chul and Jung Kyung-soon, won the Writer of the Year Award.








2013년 12월 30일 월요일

Bibimbap ad that featured actress Lee Young Ae is displayed in tashkent,Uzbekistan

Professor Seo Kyung Duk at Sungshin Women’s University, who is also devoted PR expert in the promotion of Korean culture and history abroad revealed on 30th that the same ad he posted on the New York Times newspaper and on billbards at times square and Shanghai is also being displayed in Uzbekistan as well.

The billboard is 6 meters tall and 3 meters wide and is placed in main street of tashkent, which is a crowed shopping district.


A picture of actress Lee Young-ae from "dae jang geum" fame which was one of most successful k-drama is from a full-page ad published in the New York Times promoting bibimbap, the healthful Korean dish in february

Actress lee young ae volunteered for this ad campaign last year and she also sponsored this ad by not getting paid for modeling, it's amongst her first public appearence after becoming a mom to her 2 year old twins

Professor Seo Kyung Duk said "there are still many people who secretly do a good deeds. We intend to expand our campaign to promote korean culture and food to other part of middle asia,middle east and africa from next year."
Seo Kyung Duk to improve it at his own expense and keep spreading the project by receiving sponsorships and donated from korean celebrity and companies.

He also published an advertisement promoting makgeolli(Korea's traditional fermented alcoholic beverage) and kimchee in The Wall Street Journal earlier this year.







2013년 12월 29일 일요일

LG to include Knock as standard feature in their future smartphone line up

LG Electronics (LG) announced on 29th that its popular Knock feature (formerly known as KnockON) will be included as a standard feature in the company’s key mobile devices in the future while its line of L Series II smartphones will receive Knock through a global Maintenance Release upgrade starting in January 2014.1

Knock was first introduced in LG G2 as a convenient way to turn the smartphone on and off by tapping twice on the display since the power button was located on the back of the phone. Then Knock was featured in a tablet for the first time with the LG G Pad 8.3 followed by the G Flex curved smartphone which also shared the rear button design of the G2. The reaction of audiences to this new feature was so positive that a version for LG’s best-selling L Series II was developed to offer the feature to as many customers as possible.

“Knock is distinctively an LG UX and a great example of what happens when you marry the latest in mobile technology with consumer-centric insights,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics’ Mobile Communications Company, “No one ever thought that a power button needed to be improved until our engineers wondered why they couldn’t turn the entire screen into a power button.”

2013년 12월 28일 토요일

Samsung’s Home Appliances Business in North America Grows 14% on Annual Average since 2008

Samsung electronics said monday that its sales in the home appliances sector have increased by 14% on annual average since 2008 in the North American market.
The company, however, did not give details on the exact sales figures.

Samsung attributed the year's strong performance to its premium home appliances line-ups such as refrigerators and ovens aimed at consumers in the US and Canada.

Among its top line-ups, the company said its 36-inch-wide T9000 refrigerator gained popularity among North American consumers with its broad storage space for large-sized groceries.

Samsung also said its has sold around 1,000 units of its 4- Door Refrigerator with Sparkling Water dispenser(RF31FMESBSR) every month since its launch in the North American market in February.

Its new oven line-up (Slide-In Electric Range with Flex Duo Oven(NE58F9710WS) also gained popularity in the region due mainly to Samsung's electricity-based products being easier to install compared to traditional ovens powered by gas, the company said.

Samsung also has established partnership with the four major distribution channels in the region: Best Buy, Lowe's, Sears and Home Depot.


"Samsung Electronics's home appliances adopt top-tier technology and creative ideas to meet the needs of North American consumers," said Eom Yong-hoon, a consumer electronics official from the company. "We plan to maintain our robust growth in the market."

Kkotji beach, great spot to view the sunset and sunrise on new year's day in Korea

The end of the year 2013 draws near.
During this end-of-year season, korean search for great spots from which to view the sunset or sunrise, where they can make a new years wishes and welcome the new year.

For those seeking fantastic sunrise and sunset on new year's day in Korea, the West Sea boasts a hidden gem in the form of the coastline around Taean in South Chungcheong Province which is not far from Seoul.

An oil spill in December 2007 robbed the area of much of its allure, but several years later the sea and beaches are returning to their former beauty. Taean is home to 32 beaches, more than anywhere else in Korea.


Kkotji Beach is one of the most popular locations from which to view both the sunrise and sunset, especially for Seoulite
Kkotji Beach is 3.2 km in length and 300m wide. Named after the many sweetbrier flowers on the beach, Kkotji beach is famous for its sunset seen between two rocks called Halmibawi(meaning 'grandmother rock') and Halabibawi(meaning 'grandfather rock') overlooking the beach.
Beach is not too steep so it is safe to swim in. Also, the waters are clear and warm so you can enjoy swimming till late summer. When the tide is low, you can enjoy catching small crabs and clams.
Right next to the beach is the Bangpo port, where you can enjoy fresh caught fish
The sunset view at the Halmibawi ranks among the top 3 most beautiful sunsets in Korea.

How to go to Taean (kkotji beach)

- Take the bus to Taean at Seoul Nambu Terminal (departure every 30-50 minutes (06:40-20:00), 2 hour and 20 minute ride) 
- Board the bus to Anmyeondo bus terminal at Taean Bus Terminal (30~40 minute ride) and take taxi or local bus(5 mins ride)or walk to kkotji beach(takes 20 min)





There are many pine trees all around anmyeon do(island) where kkotji beach is located.
Anmyondo Natural Forest Resort and its Pine Tree Walk is not far from beach.
Native pine trees called ‘Anmyonsong’ grow in the wild and a 3.5 km-long pine tree walk is built through the forest. Ten beaches of different sizes including the Kkotji are scattered around making the region an acclaimed vacation complex.

on the way to forest resort from beach




2013년 12월 27일 금요일

2013 lineup of hottest Hollywood stars visit in Korea

A growing number of Hollywood stars make trips to South Korea to promote their films or as a brand ambassador to promote certain global brand
In 2013 alone, more than 20 celebrities flew to the country, from Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning, the first Hollywood celebrities to visit Seoul this year in january to Amanda Seyfried's recent visit with her boyfriend, Justin Long in December.
Below are few more pictures of the Hollywood celebrities in action while they were in seoul.










Won bin deliver heart-warming cards to children with leukemia

Actor Won bin participates in the 'Heart-Sharing Campaign' sponsored by Tongyang life insurance company. He visited Children's Leukemia Foundation shelter Korea to meet with child with leukemia to deliver gift and "guardian agnel cards" on 18th.

Tong Yang Life Insurance Co, Ltd.(동양생명보험) is well-known for its insurance brand Suho Cheonsa, meaning a guardian angel.

Won Bin volunteered in many occasions as he was in a numerous Public Campaign Advertisement for UNICEF and donated 200 million won to the Korean UNICEF's Japanese emergency relief campaign when tsunami hit japan in 2011.



2013년 12월 26일 목요일

Top 10 best selling smartphones in korea 2013

Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy note 2 was sold the most in the korean smartphone market in 2013.

According to the ATLAS Research & Consulting on LinkedIn, over 20 million smartphones were estimated to be sold this year in korea, but the figure sharply decreased from its monthly peak of 7 million in June.

Galaxy note 2 was ranked #1 most selling smartphone since korean customer tend to prefer phone with big sized display like phablet over phone with smaller sized screen due to their excessive use of watching videoclips on their phones.

Below is list of Top 10 most selling phones in korea 2013


1. Galaxy Note2/ 3.37 million

2. Galaxy S3 LTE/ 2.14 million

3. Galaxy S4 LTE-A/ 1.26 million

4. Galaxy S4/ 1.06 million

5. Wine Sherbet(feature phone model)/ 1.02 million

6. Optimus G Pro/ 1.00 million

7. Optimus G/ 0.69 million

8. Vega R3/ 0.65 million

9. G2/ 0.61 million

10. iPhone 5/ 0.60 million

11. Galaxy note3/ 0.59 million



Rumors of Bae Doo Na dating Jim Sturgess has popped up again

Rumors of Bae Doo Na dating Jim Sturgess has popped up again after one of Jim strugess's acquaintance posted picture with comment on SNS on 22nd.

Bae Doo Na had previously denied about the dating rumors between her and her 'Cloud Atlas' co-star Jim Sturgess when it first surfaced earlier this year, saying that they were just close friends.
In February, the pair was spotted walking down the street linking arms in Venice Beach.

Some representive at Bae doo na's agency stated about this recent rumor saying "They have been close friends ever since they worked together on movie 'Cloud Atlas', "I don't think it's something I can make an official statement about.

Meanwhile, Bae Doo Na finished filming with the Wachowskis once again for the movie 'Jupiter Ascending'.

2013년 12월 25일 수요일

Ice-skating rinks in Seoul

Ice Skating rinks all around the Seoul have been opening up since early December as skating is one of popular winter sports here in South korea.
Ice rinks in seoul can be quite crowded particularly during the Korean school winter breaks which usually start at end of december and ends late january or early february.

You can buy ice-skates at reasonable prices in many locations including Dongdaemun Market. They are also available for rent at most of rinks.

Belows are some of most popular ice skating rinks both indoor and outdoor located in seoul.

1. Seoul plaza ice skating rink in front of Seoul City Hall

City Hall is a well-known area, also known as Seoul Plaza. Back in 2002, hundreds of thousands of soccer fans gathered to cheer on their country during the World Cup Soccer Game and since then, it has continued to be used to host a number of cultural festivals and events. Recently over 80,000 people gathered to watch the Psy perform a free concert to give thanks to the Korean public for their support.
The new City Hall building itself is a contemporary structure that attracts a lot of attention. Completed at the end of 2012, it boasts of being the most eco-friendly public facility in Korea, using less energy than any other.

The Ice Skating Rink runs every day from 10am until 10pm, Sunday to Thursday and 10am – 11pm on Friday, Saturdays and Public Holidays. It costs 1,000 Korean Won(less than a dollar) per person for an hour session which includes skate hire.
There are book cafe, locker room to store your belongings and mini rink for kids and beginner next to main rink.






2. i'park mall ice skating rink

I'PARK Mall is a state-of-the-art shopping mall. It is connected to Yongsan Subway Station and the KTX train station. You can buy everything here from electronic goods to apparel. The mall itself owns 11 floors with a huge variety of shops. The mall also has a food court, a CGV digital movie theatre and an E-mart, the nation’s biggest discount mall.

If you're looking for specific electronics and gadgets try Yongsan Electronics Market right nearby. You can walk there in 5 minutes.

Ice Rink at I'Park Mall is located at 4th floor and will open from Dec.11th to end of february,2014.
Entrance fee is 1000 won also.








3. Olympic Park Ice Skating Rink

Olympic Park ice rink is an outdoor rink that opens every winter. It is located in Peace Plaza of the park.
The rink’s facilities include a rest area, skate rental office, shops, and snack bars all located near the outdoor ice skating rink.
Without wearing helmet and glove, you are not allowed to enter for for safety's sake

It opens 9:00~20:30, 7days a week

Price
Entrance fee 1,500won (for 1hour and 30 minutes)
Ice Skates Rental 500won
Gloves 500won


4. Garden 5's "Ice Garden" Outdoor Ice Rink

Garden 5 ice skating rink is relatively new one beginning December 4, 2010, so most people don't even know about this covered outdoor ice-skating rink located in front of the Life Building within the Garden 5 complex
It's rarely crowded, offers an inexpensive ice-skating lessons.
There will be many various mini concerts throughout the end of year including eletric fusion group " viva"'s eletric violin concert on New Year's eve.
This ice rink is also famous for beautiful "Ice Garden" LED light display and huge X-mas decoration tree right next to it.






“Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2013″


After School's Nana has been ranked number 2 on the tccandler.com's Independent Critics List '100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2013'.

The site revealed that it was the highest debut of anyone on their lists since 1999 and nana is the odd-on favorite to win in 2014 as well.

Other K-pop stars made it on the list.
Girls' Generation Taeyeon was seen at number 9, miss A Suzy at number 14, and Jessica at number 20.

The “Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2013″ comprises women from 34 countries who are chosen based on grace, elegance, class, poise, joy, promise, and hope, beyond simply aesthetic perfection. The ranking has been published annually since 1990 and recently has received close to 40 million unique visitors from around the world.

Meanwhile, Oscar winner and famous french actress, Marion Cotillard was chosen as the Most Beautiful Face of 2013.

2013년 12월 24일 화요일

Top korean actor Bae Yong-joon is dating a 27-year-old woman


Bae Yong-joon admits dating 27-year-old korean woman who is not from the entertainment industry.

“They have been in a good relationship for three months after they met through a close friend,” an official of the agency said on Monday, but did not provide further details. “It’s too early to talk about their marriage.”

Earlier in the day, a Japanese media outlet broke the story about Bae’s romantic relationship and described the girlfriend as an attractive woman fluent in English, who is also a daughter of the CEO of a Korean conglomerate.


Bae had previously dated 33-year-old music video director Lee Sa-gang in 2003, but they broke up in 2004.

The 41-year-old actor has gained popularity in Japan and other Asian countries since he starred in the hit Korean TV drama “Winter Sonata” in 2002.. He is known as Yon-sama to his Japanese fans.

Jackie Chan with many Korean stars at Baidu Awards in China


New photo of lee min ho with jackie chan was uploaded on weibo, chinese version of Twitter and Facebook, which was taken at '2013 Baidu Fei Dian Awards' on Sunday,22nd.
Lee Min Ho became UNICEF ambassador for the “Asia Song Festival with UNICEF 2010”, and had a joint press conference with Jackie Chan in South korea 3years ago ,so this is not the first time they've met.

Jackie Chan also posed for pictures with EXO and Super junior at Baidu awards.

Lee min ho won the Best Asian Actor award while EXO and Super junior won Most popular group award and Best group award respectively



2013년 12월 23일 월요일

Beijing International Airport granted Lee Min Ho VIP passage for safety


Kim tan syndrome from SBS drama ‘The Heirs’ still continues in china as lee min ho got a special vip airport service upon arriving at Beijing airport to avoid any possible incident due to heavy traffic caused by his countless fans and spectators gatherd to see him at airport.
They provided lee min ho extra security and easy and speedy access to vip passage at Beijing’s International Airport when he arrived from Shanghai airport on Saturday.

Lee surprised China as he received over 530,000 questions through for an interview through Chinese social networking site, and on Sohu.com Inc. live press conference, he had over 3.6 million concurrent views.

After safely arriving at Beijing, Lee wrote on his Weibo page, “大家我来北京了!很可惜在机场没有和大家打招呼。。。要考虑大家的安全要听机场的安排!谢谢大家来接我!今天对不起大家 我们明天见!(I arrived in Beijing. Unfortunately I could not say hello at the airpot… I had to consider the safety of everyone and to follow airport arrangements! Thank you for coming out to greet me! Sorry about today and see you tomorrow!)”

With his role as Tan Kim in SBS drama ‘The Heirs’, Lee created ‘Lee Min-ho syndrome’ in Korea and overseas, especially in south east asia and china.

Lee Min-ho attended the 2013 Baidu The Hottest Awards, which was held in Beijing on Sunday including congratulatory performance of rising K-pop group EXO.
Organized by China’s biggest search engine Baidu, the awards is the big gathering of top chinese stars including Jackie Chan and Fan BingBing, and Lee min ho was the only foreign actor invited to this event this year.